The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-12-30
LElTHERVOOD HOUSE.
"A Romance of the Early Days
In Hoosierdon.


Dx Il. W. TAYLOR
gfcerwsea.es 1ss7. BY 7a< 4 n Keass xs.e
paper Con,Pasy.l
CHAPTER vH-CoSrNrHn
..rm not blame'n goa" l said. hold
ing her about the waist. For really
/, she seemed 50 distracted that l thought
there was danger in allowing her a
hands breadth away from me. Don't
go on thataway. Polly. They's some
trouble outside. know. But you un
your mother kin come right to ar
house. talked to father about ut. un
he says come right along. You
20 you don't know. then! You
don't know! Have l got to tell you all
-all-lll? Can't somebody else tell
him! Can't somebody else tell him?"
She was in such frenzy now, so
evidently beside herself. with her
hands ciaspcd over her heaving bosom
and her black hair down over her face
like vail, and every word coming as
If it were torn from her with hooks Of
steel! The women crowded about her
and carried her into corner where a
large rocking chair had been pushed
.out of the way. There was great
rushing about and such inextricable
confusion that l stood dazed. Even
the loud and excited alteration going
on in the closed and barred entry did
not claim my attention until the stun
ming report of a pistol, followed by an
other and then three or four together,
eliminating in something like fusil-
lade, startled me into instant action.
1 ran into the wide entry. fully expect
ing to see Judge Banks or Bogus
Leatherwood stretched upon the floor.
There were three or four men at the
barred entry door with their carbines
in their hands. but no sign Of any one
being hurt. Upstairs l heard the
landlords voice in his usual growl
giving continuous direction. Judge
Banks walked back hastily.
These women must 20 down into
the cellar. Some Nv UNI ull git hurt
hyah! Silkit, why don't you git UNI
out nv the way, sah?"
But what's the matter. Judge?
What's the firing about?" 1 ask. hur-
irving back with him into the dining
room.
.Some infuhnal fool offisus tryun to
make some unlawful ahwests. tole
um the men would all give themselves
up in tie mawnun when 1 could see
theyuh paypus. IN see that the wawnts
was issued in due fawm by the pwopah
awthawties. An. sub! they made
bulge fob the douh. sub! But they
didn't git in. sub! They didn't git in "
And then there was suEl fright
.ened whirl and flutter of excitement
and confusion. witk everybody rum
ming this way and that, that l could
only keep my attention clearly fixed
upon the din of the carbines that kept
up an incessant banging somewhere in
the upper story OF the old log tavern.
Tie sound of the guns of the assaiiants
)eouid not be distinguished; but that
they, too. were firing was proven by
an occasional bullet piercing the thick
wood battens of the windows. or coming
through the heavy oak weatherboard-
ing of the ell with force enough left to
bruise two or three persons. among
whom. of course, was Fan. She came
up to me with her sleeve stripped up
showing a blue spot on the back of her
large white and muscular arm.
There now" she said. with an ex-
cited laugh. "I've got ell this want.
fur tbs time. They's way to git out
a h-yur. Tn I'm u goan to git out. too.
Tn l reckon better take You long
wimny." She seized my arm and
started, almost dragging me after her.
resisting feebly as certainly did.
Where's"
"Polly?" she finished for me. "She's
out un gone. Io# needn't to wait fur
her. nohow. uou." There was such an
evident stress upon now that could
not help asking why needn't wait
now as well rs any time heretofore.
Fan looked at me in undisguised won
der. Just then terrific roar that
shook the big log house as if with an
earthquake deafened me for moment.
1 supposed the house had been struck
by lightning. Outside there was a cry,
a shriu Yell Of surprise. defiance and
perhaps derision, echoed by a shout
within.
Now. sub: they'll be chance fob
the wimmin to git out Than goes
Bogusses cannon. They won't stand
befoah that. subj And Judge Banks
ran excitedly into the east loom.
Come on now. You haint fittun to |
lie left h-yur. the way you are. Eff Won
don't know what's happened to Poll. |
I've got some news TO tell yuh. She's |
married That's whit she is. That's !
whut she wawnted somebody to tell !
yuh. Now then, come right along
with me-
CHAPTER VIII
PITCHED RATrIN